Becomingmd

Becoming a Doctor in the U.S. : 

Victor Castilla M.D. October, 2009 What all International Medical Graduates MUST know about Becoming a Doctor in the U.S.

“The celebrated American dream of “freedom and opportunity” has attracted immigrants for centuries, but the current reality may be less than egalitarian for doctors trained outside the US and Canada. Instead, the US healthcare system may be designed such that international graduates aren’t competing on a level playing field for access to graduate medical education and the jobs that come afterward.” : 

“The celebrated American dream of “freedom and opportunity” has attracted immigrants for centuries, but the current reality may be less than egalitarian for doctors trained outside the US and Canada. Instead, the US healthcare system may be designed such that international graduates aren’t competing on a level playing field for access to graduate medical education and the jobs that come afterward.” Ellen M SoffinMind the gap.STUDENTBMJ | Volume 14 | October 2006http://student.bmj.com/search/pdf/06/10/sbmj374.pdf

Where to start? : 

Where to start?

Who are we? : 

Who are we?

International Medical Graduate : 

International Medical Graduate An International Medical Graduate (IMG) is any physician who received his/her basic medical degree or qualification from a medical school outside of the U.S. or Canada, regardless of citizenship. This includes any U.S. citizen who received a medical degree from a school outside of the U.S. or Canada

What does it mean to be an IMG? : 

What does it mean to be an IMG?

In relation with medical U.S. GraduatesWhere are we? : 

In relation with medical U.S. GraduatesWhere are we? Certification of a Medical Specialist

Disappointed? : 

Disappointed?

Becoming a Doctor in the U.S.… : 

Becoming a Doctor in the U.S.… Is only about passing USMLE tests?

NO : 

NO

What is needed to Become a Doctor in the U.S.? : 

What is needed to Become a Doctor in the U.S.?

Hard workPerseveranceGood GuidanceAdvice from other IMGsCreate NetworksRealistic Picture of the process : 

Hard workPerseveranceGood GuidanceAdvice from other IMGsCreate NetworksRealistic Picture of the process

However… : 

However…

Some will accomplish their goal to become doctors and some will not. : 

Some will accomplish their goal to become doctors and some will not.

To become ornot to become a Doctor? : 

To become ornot to become a Doctor?

How to takethe decision? : 

How to takethe decision?

“For IMGs, a realistic picture of what it means to go to the US for residency training may be part of what will make that process a success.” : 

“For IMGs, a realistic picture of what it means to go to the US for residency training may be part of what will make that process a success.” Ellen M SoffinMind the gap.STUDENTBMJ | Volume 14 | October 2006http://student.bmj.com/search/pdf/06/10/sbmj374.pdf

Becoming a Doctor in the U.S. is about…. : 

Becoming a Doctor in the U.S. is about….

English : 

English

Money : 

Money

Cultural Adaptation : 

Cultural Adaptation

Networking : 

Networking

IMED : 

IMED International Medical Education Directory https://imed.faimer.org/

Medical Board of California : 

Medical Board of California

ECFMG : 

ECFMG Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

USMLE : 

USMLE

Graduation Date : 

Graduation Date

stop : 

stop

Pass the test in the First attempt : 

Pass the test in the First attempt Failing is not allowed

PTAL : 

PTAL Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter

Migratory Status : 

Migratory Status

ERAS : 

ERAS

Personal Statement : 

Personal Statement

Letters of Recommendation : 

Letters of Recommendation

U.S. Clinical Experience : 

U.S. Clinical Experience

Interviews : 

Interviews

NRMP : 

NRMP

Support : 

Support

Are you ready? : 

Are you ready?

“Remember that medicine is very important but not everything. It is easy to understand that your residency will be very important and a great preoccupation, but do not forget that it is also the time to go on with your personal development.” : 

“Remember that medicine is very important but not everything. It is easy to understand that your residency will be very important and a great preoccupation, but do not forget that it is also the time to go on with your personal development.” Rodolfo A. Armas-Merino, MD, MACP Spanish Speaking International Medical Graduates Applying for a Residency in the USA: Some Thoughts http://www.acponline.org/about_acp/international/graduates/training_in_us/merino.htm

Good Luck! : 

Good Luck!

Thanks : 

Thanks

Victor Castilla M.D. : 

Victor Castilla M.D. This presentation was created under a Creative Commons License